Jiuzhaigou is a valley located in Sichuan providence of China. It is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful valley in the world. What attracts millions of visitors per year to Jiuzhaigou is its colorful pools of water. It is said that water is the soul of Jiuzhaigou and the mountains are its protector. The name is derived from the Tibetan villages that used to locate there.

Mirror Pool                                          Long Sea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is about 7 hours from Chengdu and 11 hours from Chongqing by car. If you don’t like driving, air travel is also possible, but the plane is almost always late. I remember waiting more than 2 hours to go to Jiuzhaigou from Chongqing. Once you arrive at the Jiuzhai-Huanglong Airport, there are buses and taxis that can drive you to Jiuzhaigou entrance. Buses are only 100RMB for both ways.

I suggest finding lodging at Jiuzhaigou as well. There are hundreds of hotel around, ranging in prices and quality. You want to go in to the park around 8am, so you’ll have plenty of time to go to all the tourists spots in the park, which will take about 8-9 hours. Even though buses are provided in the park, you always have the option of walking. But to warn you, it is extremely tiring because you are practically walking down hill for 30 minutes more at a time.

Pearl Waterfall

Juizhaigou Pearl Waterfall

Swan Lake

Jiuzhaigou Swan Lake

Five Colored Lake

Jiuzhaigou Five Colored Lake

 

One of the jokes I make is that you can close your eyes and take a random picture of Jiuzhaigou, and it would look amazing.

Sadly, the park is not free. The entrance ticket is 220RMB plus 90RMB for transportation within the park, but the money is well spent considering how beautiful the scenery.